Dominic: I get the impression from some of the political debates and pronouncements in recent days that tiwan has to be able to use its own weight. To counter a sense that has grown over a number of years in america that the tyrenes are not really ready for a hard and possibly very bloody fight. And lastly, i think the ukraine connection hereand one directly with president zelinski of ukraine, is very visible,. presence on social media is very powerful and convincing leadership is, i think, something that has been impressed upon president saingwen.
The West’s co-ordinated financial weaponry is starting to bite, opening a new age of economic conflict; once-unthinkable oil embargoes seem now to be on the table. Taiwan is another democratic country with a big, bullying neighbour; we examine how the war has sparked introspection. And celebrating Pier Paolo Pasolini, a polymathic auteur unjustly known only for his most controversial film.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer